Zac Rinaldo suspended five games for illegal check to head

Watch as Zac Rinaldo of the Boston Bruins hits Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette with a questionable high hit.

Zac Rinaldo has been suspended five games after his illegal check to the head on Cedric Paquette, the league announced Tuesday.

The incident occurred midway through the first period of Feb. 28’s matchup between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, when Rinaldo delivered a high hit in the Bruins’ zone, catching Paquette on the right side of his head. Paquette was shaken and left the game, but did return.

Rinaldo, who was issued a minor penalty at the time of the play, is considered a repeat offender under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. His suspension will see him forfeit $51,829.25 in salary, which goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

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